Копи царя Соломона

           Itistheglow-wormthatshinesinthenight-timeandisblackinthemorning;itisthewhitebreathoftheoxeninwinter;itisthelittleshadowthatrunsacrossthegrassandlosesitselfatsunset." 

           "Youareastrangeman,"saidSirHenry,whenhehadceased. 

           Umbopalaughed. "Itseemstomethatwearemuchalike,Incubu.PerhapsIseekabrotheroverthemountains." 

           Ilookedathimsuspiciously. "Whatdostthoumean?"Iasked;"whatdostthouknowofthosemountains?" 

           "Alittle;averylittle. Thereisastrangelandyonder,alandofwitchcraftandbeautifulthings;alandofbravepeople,andoftrees,andstreams,andsnowypeaks,andofagreatwhiteroad. Ihaveheardofit. Butwhatisthegoodoftalking?Itgrowsdark. Thosewholivetoseewillsee." 

           AgainIlookedathimdoubtfully.Themanknewtoomuch. 

           "Youneednotfearme,Macumazahn,"hesaid,interpretingmylook."Idignoholesforyoutofallin. Imakenoplots. IfeverwecrossthosemountainsbehindthesunIwilltellwhatIknow. ButDeathsitsuponthem. Bewiseandturnback. Goandhuntelephants,mymasters.Ihavespoken." 

           Andwithoutanotherwordheliftedhisspearinsalutation,andreturnedtowardsthecamp,whereshortlyafterwardswefoundhimcleaningagunlikeanyotherKafir. 

           "Thatisanoddman,"saidSirHenry. 

           "Yes,"answeredI,"toooddbyhalf.Idon’tlikehislittleways.Heknowssomething,andwillnotspeakout.ButIsupposeitisnousequarrellingwithhim.